Norris Lake cleanup set this weekend from three locations
Volunteers bring litter ashore at the Anderson County Park boat dock from a previous spring Norris Lake cleanup event.
It’s coordinated by the Norris Lake Project Team, which also holds a spring cleanup event.
Both annual events are held “with the mission of preserving the natural beauty and conserving the resources of the Norris Lake Watershed,” according to the team’s website.
Saturday’s cleanup will begin from three locations: the Blue Mud Public Launch (adjacent to Big Ridge State Park), Sugar Hollow Marina, and Blue Springs Dock.
Volunteers will have access to boats and barges to reach shoreline areas inaccessible by land, and will use these vessels to bring the collected trash and Styrofoam back to shore, the group said.
Participants with their own boats or kayaks are encouraged to bring them, but there also will be a limited number of kayaks available at the Blue Mud location. Volunteers may ask to reserve those when registering for the cleanup.
The group encourages volunteers “to wear sturdy footwear, preferably boots, and bring gloves and life jackets if possible.”
Minors are welcome, but must have adult supervision and a release form signed by a parent or guardian.
Registrations can be made online at norrislakeproject.com/upcoming-cleanups, or onsite on Saturday morning.
Since the first cleanup in 2009, thousands of volunteers in the events have helped remove everything from bottles, cans, and Styrofoam to tires, refrigerators, and even abandoned docks and boats, the project team said.
This is the 33rd cleanup event sponsored by the group, which is supported by partnerships with local marinas, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and various community organizations.
The Norris Lake Project Team is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization led by volunteers and managed in collaboration with local governments, tourism councils, and conservation partners.
For more information, visit norrislakeproject.com.
